Mashonaland West Gears Up for Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Showdown
By Admire Chitsungo
Traditional dance groups in Mashonaland West are preparing for a fierce contest as the 2026 Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival provincial competitions gather momentum across the country.
Ten groups are expected to compete at Yolla Bar in Chinhoyi, where they will battle for the opportunity to represent the province at the national finals later this year.
The festival, organised by Delta Beverages in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dancers Association (ZNTDA), is being held under the theme “Ngoma Ngairire Shamwari, Tshay’sgubhu Mngane.”
Provincial winners will receive US$2,500, while second and third-placed groups will take home US$1,500 and US$1,000 respectively. At the national finals, the ultimate winners will walk away with a grand prize of US$15,000.
The competition has already produced winners from several provinces, including Harare’s Shingai Dance Group of Mufakose, which secured its place at the national finals after an impressive performance at Werras Park Gardens.
Other groups that have booked places at the national showcase include Tsutsube Dance Outfit, Bolamba Culture Birds, Marondera Gure Art Group, Chewa Gule Wankulu, Dzimbahwe, Bira Revadzimu Dance Group, Musa, and Ezimnyama Arts Ensemble.
Festival organisers say participating groups are intensifying preparations, with many investing in costumes, choreography and stage presentation in a bid to impress judges and audiences alike.
Since its inception, the Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival has become one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated cultural platforms, providing an opportunity for communities to preserve and showcase their diverse traditional dances while promoting social cohesion and cultural exchange.
The provincial competitions, which began on May 9, are scheduled to end on July 11 ahead of the grand national finals, where the country’s top traditional dance groups will compete for national glory.
Delta Beverages has been applauded for its continued support of the arts sector, with stakeholders noting that the festival not only preserves Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage but also creates opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners to earn a living through their talent.
